1.
The movements of skirmishers should be subjected to such rules as will
give to
the commander the means of moving them in any direction with the
greatest
promptitude.

2.
It is not expected that these movements
should be executed with the same precision as in closed ranks, nor is
it
desirable, as such exactness would materially interfere with their
prompt
execution.

3.
When skirmishers are thrown out to clear the
way for, and to protect the advance of, the main corps, their movements
should
be so regulated by this corps, as to keep it constantly covered.

4.
Every body of skirmishers should have a
reserve, the strength and composition of which will vary according to
circumstances.

5.
If the body thrown out be within sustaining
distance of the main corps, a very small reserve will be sufficient for
each
company, whose duty it shall be to fill vacant places, furnish the line
with
cartridges, relieve the fatigued, and serve as a rallying point for the
skirmishers.

6.
If the main corps be at a considerable
distance, besides the company reserves, another reserve will be
required,
composed of entire companies, which will be employed to sustain and
reinforce
such parts of the line as may be warmly attacked; this reserve should
be strong
enough to relieve at least half the companies deployed as skirmishers.

7.
The reserves should be placed behind the
centre of the line of skirmishers, the company reserves at one hundred
and fifty,
and the principle reserve at four hundred paces. This rule,
however, is not invariable. The reserves, while holding
themselves within sustaining distance
of the line, should be, as much as possible, in a position to afford
each other
mutual protection, and must carefully profit by any accidents of the
ground to
conceal themselves from the view of the enemy, and to shelter
themselves from
his fire.

8.
The movements of skirmishers will be
executed in quick, or double quick time. The run will be
resorted to only
in cases of urgent necessity.

9.
Skirmishers will be permitted to carry their
pieces in the manner convenient to them.

10.
The movements will be habitually indicated by the sounds of the bugle.

11.
The officers, and, if necessary, the non-commissioned officers, will
repeat,
and cause the commands to be executed, as soon as they are given; but
to avoid
mistakes, when the signals are employed, they will wait until the last
bugle
note is sounded before commencing the movement.

12.
When skirmishers are ordered to move
rapidly, the officers and non-commissioned officers will see that the
men
economize their strength, keep cool, and profit by all the advantages
which the
ground may offer for cover. It is only
by this continual watchfulness on the part of all grades, that a line
of
skirmishers can attain success.

13.
This instruction will be divided into five
articles, and subdivided as follows:

14.
In the first four articles, it is supposed
that the movements are executed by a company deployed as skirmishers,
on a
front equal that of the battalion in order of battle. In the
fifth article, it is supposed that each company of the
battalion, being deployed as skirmishers, occupies a front of one
hundred
paces. From these two examples, rules
may be deduced for all cases, whatever may be the numerical strength of
the
skirmishers, and the extent of the ground they ought to occupy.

15.
A company may
be deployed as skirmishers in two ways: forward, and by the flank.

16.
The deployment forward will be adopted when
the company is behind the line on which it is to be established as
skirmishers;
it will be deployed by the flank, when it finds itself already on that
line.

17.
Whenever a company is to be deployed as
skirmishers, it will be divided into two platoons, and each platoon
will be
subdivided into two sections; the comrades in battle, forming groups of
four
men, will be careful to know and to sustain each other. The
captain will
assure himself that the files in the centre of each platoon and section
are
designated.

18.
A company may be deployed as skirmishers on
its right, left, or centre file, or on any other named file
whatsoever. In this manner, skirmishers may be thrown
forward with the greatest possible rapidity on any ground they may be
required
to occupy.

19.
A chain of skirmishers ought generally to
preserve their alignment, but no advantages which the ground may
present should
be sacrificed to attain this regularity.

20.
The interval between skirmishers depends on
the extent of ground to be covered; but in general, it is not proper
that the
groups of four men should be removed more than forty paces from each
other. The habitual distance between men of the same group in
open
grounds will be five paces; in no case will they lose sight of each
other.

21.
The front to be occupied to cover a
battalion comprehends its front and the half of each interval which
separates
it from the battalion on its right and left.
If a line, whose wings are not supported, should be covered by
skirmishers, it will be necessary either to protect the flanks with
skirmishers, or to extend them in front of the line so far beyond the
wings as
effectually to oppose any attempt which might be made by the enemy's
skirmishers to disturb his flanks.

22.
A company
being at a halt or in march, when the captain shall wish to deploy it
forward
on the left file of the first platoon, holding the second platoon in
reserve,
he will command:

INSTRUCTION
FOR SKIRMISHERS.

1.
First platoon - asskirmishers. 2.
On the left file - take
intervals. 3. MARCH (or double quick - MARCH).

23.
At the first command, the second and third
lieutenants will place themselves rapidly two paces behind the centres
of the
right and left sections of the first platoon; the fifth sergeant will
move one
pace in front of the centre of the first platoon, and will place
himself
between the two sections in the front rank as soon as the movement
begins; the
fourth sergeant will place himself on the left of the front of the same
platoon, as soon as he can pass. The captain will indicate to
the
sergeant the point on which he wishes him to direct his
march. The first
lieutenant, placing himself before the centre of the second platoon,
will
command:

Second
platoon backward - MARCH.

24.
At this command, the second platoon will
step three paces to the rear so as to unmask the flank of the first
platoon.
It will then be halted by its chief, and the second sergeant will place
himself
on the left, and the third sergeant on the right flank of the platoon.

25.
At the command march,the left
group of four men, conducted by the fourth sergeant, will direct itself
on the
point indicated; all the other groups of fours throwing forward briskly
the
left shoulder, will move diagonally to the front in double quick time,
so as to
gain to the right the space of twenty paces, which shall be the
distance
between each group and that immediately on its left. When the
second
group from the left shall arrive on a line with, and twenty paces from
the
first, it will march straight to the front, conforming to the gait and
direction of the first, keeping constantly on the samealignment and
at twenty paces from it. The third group, and all the others,
will
conform to what has just been prescribed for the second; they will
arrive
successively on the line. The right guide will arrive with
the last
group.

26.
The left guide having reached the point
where the left of the line should rest, the captain will command the
skirmishers to halt; the men composing each group of fours will then
immediately deploy at five paces from each other, and to the right and
left of
the front rank men of the even file in each group, the rear rank men
placing
themselves on the left of their file leaders. If any groups
be not in
line at the command halt,they will move up rapidly,
conforming
to what has just been prescribed.

27.
If, during the deployment, the line should
be fired upon by the enemy, the captain may cause the groups of fours
to
deploy, as they gain their proper distances.

28.
The line being formed, the non-commissioned
officers on the right, left and centre of the platoon, will place
themselves
ten paces in rear of the line, and opposite the positions they
respectively
occupied. The chiefs of sections will promptly rectify any
irregularities, and then place themselves twenty-five or thirty paces
in rear
of the centre of their sections, each having with him four men taken
from the
reserve, and also a bugler, who will repeat, if necessary, the signals
sounded
by the captain.

29.
Skirmishers should be particularly
instructed to take advantage of any cover which the ground may offer,
and
should lie flat on the ground whenever such a movement is necessary to
protect
them from the fire of the enemy. Regularity in the alignment
should yield
to this important advantage.

30.
When the movement begins, the first
lieutenant will face the second platoon about, and
march it promptly,
and by the shortest line, to about 150 paces in rear of the centre of
the
line. He will hold it always at this distance, unless ordered
to the
contrary.

31.
The reserve will conform itself to all the
movements of the line. This rule is general.
32. Light troops will
carry their bayonets habitually in the scabbard, and this rule applies
equally
to the skirmishers and the reserve; whenever bayonets are required to
be fixed,
a particular signal will be given. The captain will give a
general
superintendence to the whole deployment, and then promptly place
himself about
eighty paces in rear of the centre of the line. He will have
with him a
bugler and four men taken from the reserve.

33.
The deployment may be made on the right or
the centre of the platoon by same commands, substituting the indication
right
or centre, for that of left file.

34.
The deployment on the right or the centre
will be made according to the principles prescribed above; in this
latter case,
the centre of the platoon will be marked by the right group of fours in
the
second section; the fifth sergeant will place himself on the right of
this
group, and serve as the guide of the platoon during the deployment.

INSTRUCTION
FOR SKIRMISHERS.

35.
In whatever manner the deployment be made,
on the right, left, or centre, the men in each group of fours will
always deploy
at five paces from each other, and upon the front rank man of the even
numbered
file. The deployments will habitually be made at twenty paces
interval;
but if a greater interval be required, it will be indicated in the
command.

36.
If a company be thrown out as skirmishers,
so near the main body as to render a reserve unnecessary, the entire
company
will be extended in the same manner, and according to the same
principles, as
for the deployment of a platoon. In this case, the third
lieutenant will
command the fourth section, and a non-commissioned officer designated
for that
purpose, the second section; the fifth sergeant will act as centre
guide; the
file-closers will place themselves ten paces in rear of the line, and
opposite
their places in line of battle. The first and second
lieutenant will each
have a bugler near him.

37.
The company being at a halt, when the captain shall wish to deploy it
by the
flank, holding the first platoon in reserve, he will command:

1.
Second platoon-as skirmishers. 2. By the
right flank-take intervals.
3. MARCH

(or double
quick-MARCH).

38.
At the first command, the first and third
lieutenants will place themselves, respectively, two paces behind the
centres
of the first and second sections of the second platoon; the fifth
sergeant will
place himself one pace in front of the centre of the second platoon;
the third
sergeant, as soon as he can pass, will place himself on the right of
the front
rank of the same platoon. The captain will indicate to him
the point on
which he wishes him to direct his march. The chief of the
first platoon
will execute what has been prescribed for the chief of the second
platoon, No.
263 and 24. The fourth sergeant will place himself on the
left flank of
the reserve, the first sergeant will remain on the right flank.

39.
At the second command, the first and third
lieutenants will place themselves two paces behind the left group of
their
respective sections.

40.
At the command march,the
second platoon will face to the right and commence the movement; the
left group
of fours will stand fast, but will deploy as soon as there is room on
its
right, conforming to what has been prescribed, No. 26; the third
sergeant will
place himself on the left of the right group, to conduct it; the second
group
will halt at twenty paces from the one on its left, the third group at
twenty
paces from the second, and so on to the right. As the groups
halt, they
will face to the enemy, and deploy as has been explained for the left
group.

41.
The chiefs of sections will pay particular
attention to the successive deployments of the groups, keeping near the
group
about to halt, so as to rectify any errors which may be
committed. When
the deployment is completed, they will place themselves thirty paces in
rear of
the centre of their sections, as has been heretofore
prescribed. The
non-commissioned officers will also place themselves as previously
indicated.

42.
As soon as the movement commences, the chief
of the first platoon, causing it to face about, will move it as
indicated No.
39.

43.
The deployment may be made by the left flank
according to the same principles, substituting left flank for
right
flank.

44.
If the captain should wish to deploy the
company upon the centre of one of the platoons, be will command:

1.
Second platoon - as skirmishers. 2. By the right
and left flanks - take
intervals. 3. MARCH (or double quick - MARCH).

45.
At the first command, the officers and
non-commissioned officers will conform to what has been prescribed No.
38.

46.
At the second command, the first lieutenant
will place himself behind the left group of the right section of the
second
platoon, the third lieutenant behind the right group of the left
section the
same platoon.

47.
At the command march,the
right section will face to the right, the left section will face to the
left,
the group on the right of this latter section will stand
fast. The two
sections will move off in opposite directions; the third sergeant will
place
himself on the left of the right file to conduct it, the second
sergeant on the
right the left file. The two groups nearest that which stands
fast, will

INSTRUCTION
FOR SKIRMISHERS.

each
halt at twenty paces from this group, and each of the other groups will
halt at
twenty paces from the group which is in rear of it. Each
group will
deploy as heretofore prescribed No. 40.
48. The first and
third lieutenants will direct the movement, holding themselves always
abreast
of the group which is about to halt.

49.
The captain can cause the deployment to be
made on any named group whatsoever; in this case the fifth sergeant
will place
himself before the group indicated, and the deployment will be made
according
to the principles heretofore prescribed.

50.
The entire company may be also deployed,
according to the same principles.

53.
At the command march, the group on
the right will stand fast, all the other groups will face to the left,
and each
group will extend its interval to the prescribed distance by the means
indicated No. 40.

54.
The men of the same group will continue to
preserve between each other the distance of five paces, unless the
nature of
the ground should render it necessary that they should close nearer, in
order
to keep in sight of each other. The intervals refer to the
spaces between
the groups, and not to the distances between the men in each
group. The
intervals will be taken from the right or left man of the neighboring
group.

55.
If the line of skirmishers be marching to
the front, and the captain should wish to extend it to the right, he
will
command:

1.
On the left group (so many paces) extend
intervals. 2. MARCH (or double quick-MARCH).

56.
The left group, conducted by the guide, will
continue to march on the point of direction; the other groups throwing
forward
the left shoulder, and taking the double quick step, will open their
intervals
to the prescribed distance, by what the means indicated, No. 25,
conforming
also to what is prescribed, No. 54.

57.
Intervals may be extended on the centre of
this line, according to the same principles.

58.
If, in extending intervals, it be intended
that one company or platoon should occupy a line which had been
previously
occupied by two, the men of the company or platoon which is to retire,
will
fall successively to the rear as they are relieved by the extension of
the
intervals.

59.
This movement, like that of opening intervals, will be executed
according to
the principles prescribed for the deployments.

60.
If the line of skirmishers be halted, and
the captain should wish to close intervals to the left, he will
command:

1.
By the left flank (so many paces) close intervals. 2. MARCH
(or double
quick - MARCH).

61.
At the command march,the left
group will stand fast, the other groups will face to the left and close
to the
prescribed distance, each group facing to the enemy as it attains its
proper
distance.
62. If the line be
marching to the front, the captain will command:

1.
On the left group (so many paces) close intervals. 2.
MARCH (or double
quick - MARCH).

63.
The left group, conducted by the guide, will
continue to move on in the direction previously indicated; the other
groups,
advancing the right shoulder, will close to the left, until the
intervals are
reduced to the prescribed distance.

64.
Intervals may be closed on the right, or on
the centre, according to the same principles.

INSTRUCTION
FOR SKIRMISHERS.

65.
When intervals are to be closed up, in order
to reinforce a line of skirmishers, so as to cause two companies to
cover the
ground which had been previously occupied by one, the new company will
deploy
so as to finish its movement at twenty paces in rear of the line it is
to
occupy, and the men will successively move upon that line, as they
shall be
unmasked by the men of the old company. The reserves of the
two companies
will unite behind the centre of the line.

66.
When a company of skirmishers is to be relieved, the captain will be
advised of
the intention, which he will immediately communicate to the first and
second
lieutenants.

67.
The new company will execute its deployment
forward, so as to finish the movement at about twenty paces in rear of
the
line.

68.
Arrived at this distance, the men of the new
company, by command of their captain, will advance rapidly a few paces
beyond
the old line and halt; the new line being established, the old company
will
assemble on its reserve, taking care not to get into groups of fours
until they
are beyond the fire of the enemy.

69.
If the skirmishers to be relieved are
marching in retreat, the company thrown out to relieve them will deploy
by the flank,
as prescribed No. 38 and following. The old skirmishers will
continue to
retire with order, and having passed the new line, they will form upon
the
reserve.

70.
When a platoon or a company deployed as skirmishers is marching by the
front,
the guide will be habitually in the centre. No particular
indication to
this effect need be given in the commands, but if on the contrary it be
intended that the directing guide should be on the right, or left, the
command
guide right,or guide left, will
be given immediately
after that offorward.

71.
The captain, wishing the line of skirmishers
to advance, will command:

1.
Forward. 2. MARCH (or double quick - MARCH).

72.
This command will be repeated with the
greatest rapidity by the chiefs of sections, and in case of need, by
the
sergeants. This rule is general, whether the skirmishers
march by the
front or by the flank.

73.
At the first command, three sergeants will
move briskly on the line, the first on the right, the second on the
left, and
the third in the centre.

74.
At the command march, the line will move to
the front, the guide charged with the direction will move on the point
indicated to him, the skirmishers will hold themselves aligned on this
guide,
and preserve their intervals towards him.

75.
The chiefs of sections will march immediately behind their sections, so
as to
direct their movements.

76.
The captain will give a general
superintendence to the movement.

77.
When he shall wish to halt the
skirmishers, he will command:

HALT.

78.
At this command, briskly repeated, the line
will halt. The chiefs of sections will promptly rectify any
irregularity
in the alignment and intervals, and after taking every possible
advantage which
the ground may offer for protecting the men, they, with the three
sergeants in
the line, will retire to their proper places in rear.

79.
The captain, wishing to march the skirmishers in retreat, will command:

80.
At the first command, the three sergeants will
move on the line as prescribed No. 73.
81. At the command march,the
skirmishers will face about individually, and march to the rear,
conforming
to the principles prescribed No. 74.

82.
The officers and sergeants will use every
exertion to preserve order.

83.
To halt the skirmishers, marching in
retreat, the captain will command:

HALT.

INSTRUCTION
FOR SKIRMISHERS.

84.
At this command, the skirmishers will halt,
and immediately face to the front.

85.
The chiefs of sections and the three guides
will each conform himself to what is prescribed No. 78.

86.
If the commander of a line of skirmishers shall wish to cause it to
change
direction to the right, he will command:

1.
Right wheel. 2. MARCH (or double quick -
MARCH).

87.
At the command march,the
right guide will mark time in his place; the left guide will move in a
circle
to the right, and that he may properly regulate his movements, will
occasionally cast his eyes to the right, so as to observe the direction
of the
line, and the nature of the ground to be passed over. The
centre guide
will also march in a circle to the right, and in order to conform his
movements
to the general direction, will take care that his steps are only half
the
length of the steps of the guide on the left.

88.
The skirmishers will regulate the length of
their steps by their distance from the marching flank, being less as
they
approach the pivot, and greater as they are removed from it; they will
often
look to the marching flank, so as to preserve the direction and their
intervals.

89.
When the commander of the line shall wish to
resume the direct march, he will command:

1.
Forward. 2. MARCH.

90.
At the command march,the line
will cease to wheel, and the skirmishers will move direct to the front;
the centre
guide will march on the point which will be indicated to him.

91.
If the captain should wish to halt the line,
in place of moving it to the front, he will command:

HALT.

92.
At this command, the line will halt.

93.
A change of direction to the left will be
made according to the same principles, and by inverse means.

94.
A line of skirmishers marching in retreat
will change direction by the same means, and by the same commands, as a
line
marching in advance; for example, if the captain should wish to reverse
his
left, now become the right, he will command: 1. Left wheel. 2.
MARCH. At the command halt, the
skirmishers will face to the enemy.

95.
But if; instead of halting the line, the
captain should wish to continue to march it in retreat, he will, when
he judges
the line has wheeled sufficiently, command:

96.
The captain, wishing the skirmishers to
march by the right flank, will command:

1.
By the right flank. 2. MARCH (or double
quick - MARCH).

97.
At the first command, the three sergeants
will place themselves on the line.

98.
At the command march,the
skirmishers will face to the right and move off; the right guide will
place
himself by the side of the leading man on the right to conduct him, and
will
march on the point indicated; each skirmisher will take care to follow
exactly
in the direction of the one immediately preceding him, and to preserve
his
distance.

99.
The skirmishers may be marched by the left
flank, according to the same principles, and by the same commands,
substituting
left for right; the left guide
will place himself by the side of
the leading man to conduct him.

100.
If the skirmishers be marching by the flank,
and the captain should wish to halt them, he will command:

HALT.

101.
At this command, the skirmishers will halt
and face to the enemy. The officers and sergeants will
conform to what
has been prescribed No. 78.

INSTRUCTION FOR
SKIRMISHERS.

102.
The reserve should execute all the movements
of the line, and be held always about one hundred and fifty paces from
it, so
as to be in position to second its operations.

103.
When the chief of the reserve shall wish to
march it in advance, he will command: 1. Platoon forward. 2.
Guide
left. 3. MARCH. If he should wish
to march it in retreat, he will command: 1. In retreat. 2.
MARCH. 3. Guide
right. At the command halt, it
will re-face to the enemy.

104.
The men should be made to understand that
the signals or commands, such as forward,mean that
the
skirmishers shall march on the enemy; in retreat,that
they shall
retire, and to the right or left flank,that
the men must
face to the right or left, whatever may be their position.

105.
If the skirmishers be marching by the flank,
and the captain should wish to change direction to the right (or left),
he will
command: 1. By file right (or left). 2.
MARCH. These movements will also be executed by the
signals Nos. 14 and 15.

108.
At this command, briskly repeated, the men
of the front rank will commence firing;they will reload rapidly, and
hold themselves in readiness to fire again. During this time
the men of
the rear rank will come to a ready, and as soon as their respective
file
leaders have loaded, they will also fire and reload. The men
of each file
will thus continue the firing, conforming to this principle, that the
one or
the other shall always have his piece loaded.

109.
Light troops should be always calm, so as to
aim with accuracy; they should, moreover, endeavor to estimate
correctly the
distances between themselves and the enemy to be hit, and thus be
enabled todeliver their fire with the greater certainty of success.

110.
Skirmishers will not remain in the same place
whilst reloading, unless protected by accidents in the ground.

111.
This fire will be executed by the same
commands as the fire at a halt.

112.
At the command commence firing,if
the line be advancing, the front rank man of every file will halt,
fire, and
reload before throwing himself forward. The rear rank man of
the same
file will continue to march, and after passing ten or twelve paces
beyond his
front rank man will halt, come to a ready, select his object, and fire
when his
front rank man has loaded; the fire will thus continue to be executed
by each
file; the skirmishers will keep united, and endeavor, as much as
possible, to
preserve the general direction of the alignment.

113.
If the line be marching in retreat at the command
commence firing, the front rank man of every file
will halt, face to the
enemy, fire, and then reload whilst moving to the rear; the rear rank
man of
the same file will continue to march, and halt ten or twelve paces
beyond his
front rank man, face about, come to a ready, and fire, when his front
rank man
has passed him in retreat and loaded; after which, he will move to the
rear and
reload; the front rank man in his turn after marching briskly to the
rear, will
halt at ten or twelve paces from the rear rank, face to the enemy; load
his
piece and fire, conforming to what has just been prescribed; the firing
will
thus be continued.

114.
If the company be marching by the right
flank, at the command, commence firing, the front
rank man of every file
will face to the enemy, step one pace forward, halt, and fire; the rear
rank
man will continue to move forward. As soon as the front rank
man has
fired, he will place himself briskly behind his rear rank man and
reload whilst
marching. When he has loaded, the rear rank man will, in his
turn, step
one pace forward, halt, and fire, and returning to the ranks, will
place
himself behind his front rank man; the latter, in his turn, will act in
the
same manner, observing the same principles. At the command, cease
firing, the men of the rear rank will retake their original
positions, if
not already there.

INSTRUCTION
FOR SKIRMISHERS.

115.
If the company be marching by the left flank,
the fire will be executed according to the same principles, but in this
case it
will be the rear rank men who will be first.

116.
The following rules will be observed in the
cases to which they apply:

117.
If the line be firing at a halt, or whilst
marching by the flank at the command, Forward - MARCH,it
will be
the men whose pieces are loaded, without regard to the particular rank
to which
they belong, who will move to the front. Those men whose
pieces have been
discharged, will remain in their places to load them before moving
forward, and
the firing will be continued agreeably to the principles prescribed
above.

118.
If the line be firing either at a halt,
advancing, or whilst marching by the flank, at the command, In
retreat -
MARCH, the men whose pieces are loaded will remain faced to the enemy,
and will
fire in this position; the men whose pieces are discharged will retreat
loading
them, and the fire will be continued agreeably to principles prescribed
No.
112.

119.
If the line of skirmishers be firing either
at a halt, advancing, or in retreat, at the command, By the
right (or left)
flank - MARCH, the men whose pieces are loaded will step one
pace out of
the general alignment, face to the enemy, and fire in this position;
the men
whose pieces are unloaded will face to the right (or left) and march in
the
direction indicated. The men who stepped out of the ranks
will place
themselves, immediately after firing, upon the general direction, and
in rear
of their front or rear rank men, as the case may be. The fire
will be
continued according to the principles prescribed for firing when
marching by a
flank.

120.
Skirmishers will be habituated to load their
pieces whilst marching; but they will be enjoined to halt always an
instant,
when in the act of charging cartridge, and priming.

121.
They should be practised to fire and load
kneeling, lying down, and sitting, and much liberty should be allowed
in these
exercises, in order that they may be executed in the manner found to he
most
convenient. Skirmishers should he cautioned not to forget
that, in
whatever position they may load, it is important that the piece should
be
placed upright before ramming, in order that the entire charge of
powder may
reach the bottom of the bore.

122.
In commencing the fire, the men of the same
rank should not all fire at once, and the men of the same file should
be
particular that one or the other of them be always loaded.

123.
In retreating, the officer commanding the
skirmishers should seize on every advantage which the ground may
present, for
arresting the enemy as long as possible.

124.
At the signal to cease firing,the
captain will see that the order is promptly obeyed; but the men who may
not be
loaded, will load. If the line be marching, it will continue
the
movement; but the man of each file who happens to be in front, will
wait until
the man in rear shall be abreast with him.

125.
If a line of skirmishers be firing
advancing, at the command halt, the line will
re-form upon the
skirmishers who are in front; when the line is retreating, upon the
skirmishers
who are in rear.

126.
Officers should watch with the greatest possible vigilance over a line
of
skirmishers; in battle, they should neither carry a rifle or fowling
piece. In all the firings, they, as well as the sergeants,
should see
that order and silence are preserved, and that the skirmishers do not
wander
imprudently; they should especially caution them to be calm and
collected; not
to fire until they distinctly perceive the objects at which they aim,
and are
sure that those objects are within proper range. Skirmishers
should take
advantage promptly, and with intelligence, of all shelter, and of a
accidents
of the ground, to conceal themselves from the view of the enemy, and to
protect
themselves from his fire. It may often happen that intervals
are
momentarily lost when several men near each other find a common
shelter; but
when they quit this position, they should immediately resume their
intervals
and their places in line, so that they may not, by crowding, needlessly
expose
themselves the fire of the enemy.

127.
A company deployed as skirmishers, is
rallied in order oppose the enemy with better success; the rallies are
made at
a run, and with bayonets fixed; when ordered to rally, the skirmishers
fix
bayonets without command.

INSTRUCTION
FOR SKIRMISHERS.

128.
There are several ways of rallying, which
the chief of the line will adopt according to circumstances.

129.
If the line, marching or at a halt, be
merely disturbed by scattered horsemen, it will not be necessary to
fall back
on the reserve, but the captain will cause bayonets to be
fixed. If the
horsemen should, however, advance to charge the skirmishers, the
captain will
command, rally by fours. The line will
halt if marching, and the
four men of each group will execute this rally in the following manner:
the
front rank man of the even numbered file will take the position of guard
against cavalry;the rear rank man of the odd numbered file
will
also take the position of guard against cavalry,
turning his back to
him, his right foot thirteen inches from the right foot of the former,
and
parallel to it; the front rank man of the odd file, and the rear rank
man of
the even file, will also place themselves back to back, taking a like
position,
and between the two men already established, facing to the right and
left; the
right feet of the four men will be brought together, forming a squares
and
serving for mutual support. The four men in each group will
come to a
ready, fire as occasion may offer, and load without moving their feet.

130.
The captain and chiefs of sections will each
cause the four men who constitute his guard to form square, the men
separating
so as to enable him and the bugler to place themselves in the
centre. The
three sergeants will each promptly place himself in the group nearest
him in
the line of skirmishers.

131.
Whenever the captain shall judge these
squares too weak, but should wish to hold his position by strengthening
his
line, he will command:

Rally
by sections.

132.
At this command, the chiefs of sections will move rapidly on the centre
group
of their respective sections, or on any other interior group whose
position
might offer a shelter, or other particular advantage; the skirmishers
will
collect rapidly at a run on this group, and without distinction of
numbers. The men composing the group on which the formation
is made, will
immediately form square, as heretofore explained, and elevate their
pieces, the
bayonets uppermost, in order to indicate the point on which the rally
is to be
made. The other skirmishers, as they arrive, will occupy and
fill the
open angular spaces between these four men, and successively rally
around this
first nucleus, and in such manner as to form rapidly a company
circle.
The skirmishers will take as they arrive, the position of charge
bayonet, the
point of the bayonet more elevated, and will cock their pieces in this
position. The movement concluded, the two exterior ranks will
fire as
occasion may offer, and load without moving the feet.

133.
The captain will move rapidly with his
guard, wherever he may judge his presence most necessary.

134.
The officers and sergeants will be
particular to observe that the rally is made in silence, and with
promptitude
and order; that some pieces in each of their subdivisions be at all
times
loaded, and that the fire is directed on those points only where it
will be
most effective.

135.
If the reserve should be threatened, it will
form into a circle around its chief.

136.
If the captain, or commander of a line of
skirmishers formed of many platoons, should judge that the rally by
section
does not offer sufficient resistance, he will cause the rally by
platoons to be
executed, and for this purpose, will command:

Rally
by platoons.

137.
This movement will be executed according to
the same principles, and by the same means, as the rally by
sections. The
chiefs of platoon will conform to what has been prescribed for the
chiefs of
section.

138.
The captain wishing to rally the skirmishers
on the reserve, will command:

Rally
on the reserve.

139.
At this command, the captain will move briskly on the reserve; the
officer who
commands it will take immediate steps to form square; for this purpose,
he will
cause the half sections on the flanks to be thrown perpendicularly to
the rear;
he will order the men to come to a ready.

140.
The skirmishers of each section, taking the
run, will form rapidly into groups, and upon that man of each group who
is
nearest the centre of the section. These groups will direct
themselves

INSTRUCTION
FOR SKIRMISHERS.

diagonally
towards each other, and in such manner as to form into sections with
the
greatest possible rapidity while moving to the rear; the officers and
sergeants
will see that this formation is made in proper order, and the chiefs
will
direct their sections upon the reserve, taking care to unmask it to the
right
and left. As the skirmishers arrive, they will continue and
complete the
formation of the square begun by the reserve, closing in rapidly upon
the
latter, without regard to their places in line; they will come to a
ready
without command, and fire upon the enemy; which will also be done by
the
reserve as soon as it is unmasked by the skirmishers.

141.
If a section should be closely pressed by
cavalry while retreating its chief will command halt;
at this command,
the men will form rapidly into a compact circle around the officer, who
will
re-form his section and resume the march, the moment he can do so with
safety.

142.
The formation of the square in a prompt and
efficient manner, requires coolness and activity on the part of both
officers
and sergeants.

143.
The captain will also profit by every moment
of respite which the enemy's cavalry may leave him; as soon as he can,
he will
endeavor to place himself beyond the reach of their charges, either by
gaining
a position where he may defend himself with advantage, or by returning
to the
corps to which he belongs. For this purpose, being in square,
he will
cause the company to break into column by platoons at half distance; to
this
effect, he will command:

144.
At the command march, each platoon
will dress on its centre, and the platoon which was facing to the rear
will
face about without command. The guides will place themselves
on the right
and left of their respective platoons, those of the second platoon will
place
themselves at half distance from those of the first, counting from the
rear
rank. These dispositions being made, the captain can move the
column in
whatever direction he may judge proper.

145.
If he wishes to march it in retreat, he will
command:

l.
In retreat. 2. MARCH (or double quick -
MARCH).

146.
At the command march,the
column will immediately face by the rear rank, and move off in the
opposite
direction. As soon as the column is in motion, the captain
will command:

3.
Guide right (or left).

147.
He will indicate the direction to the leading
guide; the guides will march at their proper distances, and the men
will keep
aligned.

148.
If again threatened by cavalry, the captain
will command:

1.
Form square. 2. MARCH

149.
At the command march,the column
will halt; the first platoon will face about briskly, and the outer
half
sections of each platoon will be thrown perpendicularly to the rear, so
as to
form the second and third fronts of the square. The officers
and
sergeants will promptly rectify any irregularities which may be
committed.

150.
If he should wish to march the column in
advance, the captain will command:

153.
At the second command, the column will move
forward, and at the third command, the men will take the touch of
elbows to the
side of the guide.

154.
If the captain should wish the column to
gain ground to the right or left, he will do so by rapid wheels to the
side
opposite the guide, and for this purpose, will change the guide
whenever it may
be necessary.

155.
If a company be in column by platoon, at
half distance, right in front, the captain can deploy the first platoon
as
skirmishers by the means already explained; but if it should be his
wish to
deploy the second platoon forward on the centre file, leaving the first
platoon
in reserve, he will command:

INSTRUCTION
FOR SKIRMISHERS.

1. Second
platoon - as skirmishers. 2. On
the centre file take intervals. 3. MARCH (or double
quick - MARCH.)

156.
At the first command, the chief of the first
platoon will caution his platoon to stand fast; the chiefs of sections
of the
second platoon will place themselves before the centre of their
sections; the
fifth sergeant will place himself one pace in front of the centre of
the second
platoon.

157.
At the second command, the chief of the
right section, second platoon, will command: Section right
face;the
chief of the left section: Section left face.

158.
At the command march,these
sections will move off briskly in opposite directions, and having
unmasked the
first platoon, the chiefs of sections will respectively command: By
the left
flank - MARCH, and By the right flank - MARCH;
and as soon as these
sections arrive on the alignment of the first platoon, they will
command: As
skirmishers - MARCH. The groups will then deploy
according to
prescribed principles, on the right group of the left section, which
will be
directed by the fifth sergeant on the point indicated.

159.
If the captain should wish the deployment
made by the flank, the second platoon will be moved to the front by the
means
above stated, and halted after passing some steps beyond the alignment
of the
first platoon; the deployment will then be made by the flank according
to the
principles prescribed.

160.
When one or more platoons are deployed as
skirmishers, and the captain should wish to rally them on the
battalion, he
will command:

Rally
on the battalion.

161.
At this command, the skirmishers and the
reserve, no matter what position the company to which they belong may
occupy in
order of battle, will rapidly unmask the front of the battalion,
directing
themselves in a run towards its nearest flank, and then form in its
rear.

162.
As soon as the skirmishers have passed
beyond the line of file closers, the men will take the quick step, and
the
chief of each platoon or section will reform his subdivision, and place
it in
column behind the wing on which it is rallied, and at ten paces from
the rank
of the file closers. These subdivisions will not be moved
except by order
of the commander of the battalion, who may, if he thinks proper, throw
them
into line of battle at the extremities of the line, or in the intervals
between
the battalions.

163.
If many platoons should be united behind the
same wing of a battalion, or behind any shelter whatsoever, they should
be
formed always into close column, or into column at half distance.

164.
When the battalion, covered by a company of
skirmishers, shall be formed into square, the platoons and sections of
the
covering company will be directed by their chiefs to the rear of the
square
which will be opened at the angles to receive the skirmishers, who will
be then
formed into close column by platoons in rear of the first front of the
square.

165.
If circumstances should prevent the angles
of the square from being opened, the skirmishers will throw themselves
at the
feet of the front rank men, the right knee on the ground, the butt of
the piece
resting on the thigh, the bayonet in a threatening position.
A part may
also place themselves about the angles, where they render good service
by
defending the sectors without fire.

166.
If the battalion on which the skirmishers
are rallied be in column ready to form square, the skirmishers will be
formed
into close column by platoon, in rear of the centre of the third
division, and
at the command, Form square - MARCH, they will move
forward and close on
the buglers.

267.
When skirmishers have been rallied by
platoon or section behind the wings of a battalion, and it be wished to
deploy
them again to the front, they will be marched by the flank towards the
intervals on the wings, and be then deployed so as to cover the front
of the
battalion.

168.
When platoons or sections, placed in the
interior of squares or columns, are to be deployed, they will be
marched out by
the flanks, and then thrown forward, as is prescribed, No. 157; as soon
as they
shall have unmasked the column or square, they will be deployed, the
one on the
right, the other on the left file.

169.
A company deployed as skirmishers will be
assembled when there is no longer danger of its being disturbed; the
assembly
will be made habitually in quick time.

INSTRUCTION
FOR SKIRMISHERS.

170.
The captain wishing to assemble the
skirmishers on the reserve, will command:

Assemble
on the reserve.

171.
At this command, the skirmishers will assemble
by groups of fours; the front rank men will place themselves behind
their rear
rank men; and each group of fours will direct itself on the reserve,
where each
will take its proper place in the ranks. When the company is
re-formed,
it will rejoin the battalion to which it belongs.

172.
It may be also proper to assemble the
skirmishers on the centre, or on the right or left of the line, either
marching
or at a halt.

173.
If the captain should wish to assemble them
on the centre while marching, he will command:

Assemble
on the centre.

174.
At this command, the centre guide will
continue to march directly to the front on the point indicated; the
front rank
man of the directing file will follow the guide, and be covered by his
rear
rank man; the other two comrades of this group, and likewise those on
their
left will march diagonally, advancing the left shoulder and
accelerating the
gait, so as to reform the groups while drawing nearer and nearer the
directing
file; the men of the right section will unite in the same manner into
groups,
and then upon the directing file, throwing forward the right
shoulder. As
they successively unite on the centre, the men will bring their pieces
to the
right shoulder.
175. To assemble on
the right or left file will be executed according to the same
principles.
176. The assembly of
a line marching in retreat will also be executed according to the same
principles, the front rank men marching behind their rear rank men.
177. To assemble the
line of skirmishers at a halt, and on the line they occupy, the captain
will
give the same commands; the skirmishers will face to the right or left,
according as they should march by the right or left flank, re-form the
groups
while marching, and to arrive on the file which served as the point of
formation. As they successively arrive, the skirmishers will
support
arms.

178.
A battalion being in line of battle, if the
commander should wish to deploy it on the right of the sixth company,
holding
the three right companies in reserve, he will signify his intention to
the
lieutenant colonel and the adjutant, and also to the major who will be
directed
to take charge of the reserve. He will
point out to the lieutenant colonel the direction he wishes to give the
line,
as well as the point where he wishes the right of the sixth company to
rest,
and to the commander of the reserve the place he may wish it
established.

179.
The lieutenant colonel will move rapidly in
front of the right of the sixth company, and the adjutant in front of
the left
of the same company. The commander of
the reserve will dispose of it in the manner to be hereinafter
indicated.

180.
The colonel will command:

1.
First (or second) platoons-as
skirmishers.

2.
On the right of the sixth company-take
intervals.

3.
MARCH. (or double quick-MARCH.)

181.
At the second command, the captains of the fifth
and sixth companies will prepare to deploy the first platoons of their
respective companies, the sixth on its right, the fifth on its left
file.

182.
The captain of the fourth company will face
it to the right, and the captains of the seventh and eighth companies
will face
the respective companies to the left.

183.
At the command march, the movement
will commence. The platoons of the
fourth and sixth companies will deploy forward; the right guide will
march on
the point which will be indicated to him by the lieutenant colonel

184.
The company which has faced to the right,
and also the companies which have faced to the left,

INSTRUCTION
FOR SKIRMISHERS.

will
march straight forward. The fourth
company will take an interval of one hundred paces counting from the
left of
the fifth, and its chief will deploy its first platoon on its left
file. The seventh and eight companies will each
take an interval of one hundred paces, counting from the first file of
the
company, which is immediately on its right; and the chiefs of these
companies
will afterwards deploy their first platoons on the right file.

185.
The guides who conduct the files on which
the deployment is made, should be careful to direct themselves towards
the
outer man of the neighboring company, already deployed as skirmishers;
or if
the company has not finished its deployment, they will judge carefully
the
distance which may still be required to place all these files in line,
and will
march on the point thus marked out. The
companies, as they arrive on the line, will align themselves on those
already
deployed.

186.
The lieutenant colonel and adjutant will
follow the deployment, the one on the right, the other on the left; the
movement concluded, they will place themselves near the colonel.

187.
The reserves of the companies will be
established in echellon in the following manner; the reserve of the
sixth
company will be placed one hundred and fifty paces in the rear of the
right of
this company; the reserves of the fourth and fifth companies, united,
opposite
the centre of their line of skirmishers, and thirty paces in advance of
the
reserve of the sixth company; the reserves of the seventh and eighth
companies,
also united, opposite the centre of their line of skirmishers, and
thirty paces
further to the rear than the reserve of the sixth company.

188.
The major commanding the companies comprising
the reserve, on receiving an order from the colonel to that effect,
will march
these companies thirty paces to the rear, and will then ploy them into
column
by company, at half distance; after which, he will conduct the column
to the
point which shall have been indicated to him.

189.
The colonel will have a general
superintendence of the movement; and when it is finished, will move to
a point
in rear of the line, where his view may best embrace all the parts, in
order to
direct their movements.

190.
If, instead of deploying forward, it be
desired to deploy by the flank, the sixth and fifth companies will be
moved to
the front ten or twelve paces, halted, and deployed by the flank, the
one on
the right, the other on the left file, by the means already
indicated. Each of the other companies will be marched
by the flank, and as soon as the last file of the company, next towards
the
direction, shall have taken its interval, it will be moved upon the
line established
by the fifth and sixth companies, halted, and deployed.

191.
In the preceding example, it has been
supposed that the battalion has been in the order of battle, but if in
column,
it would be deployed as skirmishers by the same commands and according
to the
same principles.

192.
If the deployment is to be made forward,
the directing company, as soon as it is unmasked, will be moved ten or
twelve
paces in front of the head of the column, and will be then deployed on
the file
indicated. Each of the other companies
will take its interval to the right of left, and deploy as soon as soon
as it
is taken.

193.
If the deployment is to be made by the
flank, the directing company will be moved in the same manner to the
front, as
soon as it is unmasked, and will then be halted and deployed by the
flank on
the file indicated. Each of the other
companies will be marched by the flank, and when its interval is taken,
will be
moved on the line, halted, and deployed as soon as the company next
towards the
direction shall have finished its deployment.

194.
It has been prescribed to place the reserves
in echellon, in order that they may, in the event of a rally, be able
to
protect themselves without injuring each other; and the reserves of the
two
contiguous companies have been united, in order to decrease the number
of the
echellons, and to increase their capacity for resisting cavalry.

195.
The echellons, in the example given, descend
from right to left, but they may, on an indication from the colonel to
that
effect, be posted on the same principle, so as to descend from left to
right.

196.
When the color-company is to be deployed as
skirmishers, the color, without its guard, will be detached, and will
remain
with the battalion reserve.

197.
The colonel may cause all the various
movements prescribed for a company, to be executed by the battalion,
and by the
same commands and the same signals.
When he wishes to rally the battalion, he

MANUAL
OF THE SWORD, ETC.

will
cause the rally on the battalion to be sounded,
and will so dispose his
reserve to protect this movement.

198.
The companies deployed as skirmishers will
be rallied in squares on their respective reserves; each reserve of two
contiguous companies will form the first front of the square, throwing
to the
rear the sections on the flanks; the skirmishers who arrive first will
complete
the lateral fronts, and the last the fourth front. The
officers and sergeants will superintend the rally, and as fast
as the men arrive, they will form them into two ranks, without regard
to
height, and cause them to face outwards,

199.
The rally being effected, the commanders of
the squares will profit by any interval of time the cavalry may allow
for
putting them in safety, either by marching upon the battalion reserve,
or by
seizing an advantageous position; to this end, each of the squares will
be
formed into column, and march in this order; and if threatened anew, it
will
halt, and again form itself into square.

200.
As the companies successively arrive near
the battalion-reserve, each will re-form as promptly as possible, and
without
regard to designation or number, take place in the column next in rear
of the
companies already in it.

201.
The battalion reserve will also form square,
if itself threatened by cavalry. In
this case, the companies in marching towards it will place themselves
promptly
in the sectors without fire, and thus march on the squares.

________

MANUAL
OF THE SWORD OR SABRE,

FOR
OFFICERS.

POSITION
OF THE SWORD OR SABRE, UNDER ARMS.

The
carry. The
gripe in the right hand, which will be supported against the right hip,
the
back of the blade against the shoulder.

TO
SALUTE WITH THE SWORD OR SABRE.

Three
times (or pauses.)

One.
At the distance of six paces from the person
to be saluted, raise the sword or sabre perpendicularly, the point up,
the flat
of the blade opposite to the right eye, the guard at the height of the
shoulder, the elbow supported on the body.

Two.
Drop
the point of
the sword or sabre by extending the arm, so that the right hand may be
brought
to the side of the right thigh, and remain in that position until the
person to
whom the salute is rendered shall be passed, or shall have passed, six
paces.

Three.
Raise the sword or sabre smartly, and place
the back of the blade against the right shoulder.

________

COLOR-SALUTE.

In
the ranks, the color-bearer, whether at a halt or in march, will always
carry
the heel of the color-lance supported at the right hip, the right hand
generally placed on the lance at the height of the shoulder, to hold it
steady. When the color has to render
honors, the color-bearer will salute as follows:

At
the distance of six paces slip the right hand along the lance to the
height of
the eye; lower the lance by straightening the arm to its full extent,
the heel
of the lance remaining at the hip, and bring back the lance to the
habitual
position when the person saluted shall be passed, or shall have passed,
six
paces.

__________

MANUAL
FOR RELIEVING SENTINELS.

Arms-PORT

One
time and one motion.

Throw
the piece diagonally across the body, the lock to the front, seize it
smartly
at the same instant with both hands, the right at the handle, the left
atthe
lower band, the two thumbspointing

RELIEVING
SENTINELS, ETC.

towards
the muzzle, the
barrel sloping upwards and crossing opposite to the point of the left
shoulder,
the butt proportionally lowered. The
palm of the right hand will be above, and that of the left hand under
the
piece, the nails of both hands next to the body, to which the elbows
will be
closed.

Shoulder-ARMS.

One
time and two motions.

(First
motion.) Bring the piece smartly to
the left shoulder, placing the right hand as in the position of
shoulder arms,
slip the left hand to the height of the shoulder, the fingers extended.

(Second
motion.) Drop the left hand smartly
by the side.

Being
on parade, and at order arms, if it be wished to give the men rest, the
command
will be:

Parade-REST

At the command rest,
turn the piece on
the heel of the butt, the barrel to the left, the muzzle in front of
the centre
of the body; seize it at the same time with the left hand just above,
and with
the right at the upper band; carry the right foot six inches to the
rear, the
left knee slightly bent.

_______

INSTRUCTION
FOR THE CHIEF BUGLER AND DRUM-MAJOR

The
posts of the field music and band have been given, Title I, for the
order in
battle.

In
column in manoeuvre, the field music and band will march abreast with
the left
centre company, on the side opposite the guide.

In
column in route, as well as in the passage of defiles to the front or
in
retreat, they will march at the head of their respective
battalions.

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more complete information on 19th Century
Military Drill, visit the
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